"Easwaramma had never put Me
to trouble any time. Whenever she asked Me for something, she would come back
and inquire if she had given any trouble. To all devotees -who came, she used
to entreat not to cause any inconvenience to Swami. She used to be very much
worried whenever any minister came to have My Darshan. The situation in those
days was such that even a policeman with a red cap was enough to frighten the
villagers. Easwaramma used to be much afraid of the ministers thinking they
might cause some problem to Me. This was only the result of her sacred love
for Me. That is the greatness of mother's love. That is why she could lead a
life of fulfillment and peace. In order to propagate this sacred ideal,
this day is being celebrated as Easwaramma Day. This is to emphasize that each
one of you should make your mother happy. When mother is happy, Swami is
happy." Sai Baba. SS, 6/99, p. 150

Importance
Of The Mother

"The term 'Stree' should not be treated lightly. The Bhagavad Gita lists seven
attributes to the feminine principle: fame, wealth, speech, wisdom,
intelligence, fortitude and determination. The Mother Principle, which
embodies these seven potencies, is highly sacred. Wherever you turn, you will
see manifestation of the feminine principle. When any person goes abroad, the
first question that is put is: 'What is your mother-tongue?' No one asks,
'What is father-tongue?' This shows how much importance is attached to the
role of mother. The mother fosters the child in the womb and goes through all
travails to protect the child. There is no greater love in the world than
maternal love. Hence, the ancients accorded the highest honour to the mother
and declared, 'Esteem the mother as Divine ('Maatri Devo Bhava') and esteem
the father as Divine ('Pitru Devo Bhava'). For every person, the first
preceptor is the mother. It is from the mother that a child learns its first
word of speech, the first step in movement and many other
primary lessons in behaviour. Hence, the mother stands out as the reflected
image of nature (Prakriti).

Sai Baba,
SS, 6/96. pp. 157 & 158

"From ancient times, it has been the practice in Bharat (India) to revere the
mother as God. From the outset, Vedas have declafed: Revere the mother as God,
father as God and preceptor as God. For the human body, the mother, father and
preceptor are to be deemed as Divine. But, for the pursuit of life, the Divine
is the only God." Sai Baba, SS. 6/98, p. 141

"Not only in day-to-day life, but also in the field of spirituality mothers
and women are given the highest regard. For example, when we mention the names
of Divine couples, such as Sita Rama, Radha Krishna, Lakshmi Narayana, etc.,
names of goddesses come first. What is the inner significance of this? Mother
represents nature, which is the manifest aspect of Divinity." Sai Baba, SS,
6/99, p. 141

"It is the mother who teaches you the sacred principles like love, compassion,
forbearance, tolerance and sacrifice. Mother shows the father, father takes
you to the preceptor and preceptor directs you to God. That is why among
mother, father, preceptor and God, mother comes first." Sai Baba. SS, 6/99,
pp. 142 & 143

"Man has to recognise the significance of love and truth, which are
fundamental to human existence. The mother represents these two basic
qualities." Sai Baba, SS, 6/97, p. 141

"Motherhood
Is The Most Precious Gift"

"Motherhood is the most precious gift of God. Mothers are the makers of a
nation's future or misfortune. They should teach two lessons, fear of sin and
fondness for virtues. Both of these are based on faith in God, being the inner
motivator of all. If you want to know how advanced a nation is, study the
mothers. Are they free from fear and anxiety? Are they full of love towards
all? Are they trained in fortitude and virtue? If you like to imbibe the glory
of a culture, watch the mothers rocking the cradles, feeding, fostering,
teaching and fondling the babies. Mothers must assume this responsibility and
not throw it on Aayaas (governess or maid). A child that is brought by the
Aayaa loses essential fertilizer for growth and love. The child is denied the
best health-giving vitamin, love." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. VII, p. 22

Importance
Of The Relationship Between Mother And Her Child

"In this world there are many types of relationships, but none equals the
relationship that exists between the mother and the child. It is because of
this intimate relationship with the mother that one's own country is called
motherland. Similarly, one's own language is called mother tongue, not father
tongue. Among the parents, first place is given to the mother, next comes
father." Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 141

"Mother protects her children
in many ways. Even after death, she comes back and helps you in various ways."
Sai Baba. SS. 6/99, p. 150

"There may be a wicked son,
but not a wicked mother. It is because of the noble feelings of the mothers
that son becomes virtuous, intelligent and attains exalted positions and earns
name and fame." Sai Baba. SS, 6/99, p. 142

"Mother will always pray for the welfare of the son wherever he may be. At
times, she may be angry or have a difference of opinion, but such differences
are only passing clouds." Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 144

Womb Of The
Mother

"The earth is one. But if you
sow Neem (a bitter plant) seeds, you will get bitter fruits. If you plant
sweet mango seeds, you will get sweet mangoes. The earth makes no difference
between them. Only the differences in the seeds account for the differences
among the fruits. Likewise, the womb of a mother is like the womb of Mother
Earth. The thought, which prevails at the time of conception results in the
kind of child that is born. If parents desire to have virtuous, exemplary and
noble children, they have to observe righteous practices and lead virtuous
lives." Sai Baba, SS. 6/93, p. 141

Understanding Of Mother's Love Will Lead You To The Understanding Of Divine
Love

"In order to experience
Divinity, understand this example. The very nature of mother is love. Mother
has a form, but love has no form. You can experience love through your mother
as she is the very form of love. Our Vice-Chancellor described Swami's love as
that of a thousand mothers. But, one who cannot understand the love of one
mother, how can he understand the love of a thousand mothers? So, first and
foremost try to understand and experience the love of your physical mother. Go
on adding to the physical mother's love a million times. The principle of
divinity lies in this love, which is your life principle. Experience this love
and understand the significance of mother worship in Navaratri." Sai Baba,
SS, 7/99, p. 186

"Children can understand the meanings of the word fox or dog only when they
see their pictures. Similarly, it is only after seeing the parents that one
can understand the existence of God. When you love and respect your parents,
only then you can understand in
the love of the Divine Parents. This is what I tell you often - if you
understand the 'I' principle, you will understand the 'I' in everybody.
Vyashti (individual) has emerged from Samashti (society), Samashti from
Srishti (creation), Srishti from Parameshti (Creator). Only when you
understand the principle of creation, can you then understand the Creator."
Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 142 '

"Nourish your aged parents; revere them. If you honour your mother, the Mother
of the Universe will guard you against harm. If you honour your father, the
Father of all beings will guard you. This is as true as the fact that if you
honour your parents, your children will honour you." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol.
IV, p. 98

Be Grateful
To Your Mother

"The Vedas declare, "Matru
Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Aachaarya Devo Bhava." (Worship the mother as
God, the father as God, the preceptor as God and the guest as God.) It is the
mother who fosters you and nourishes you. It is she who knows your choices and
preferences, and fulfils your needs. So, you should be grateful to your mother
always. Though you cannot see Rama, Krishna, Shiva and Vishnu, you are
worshipping them because you believe in scriptures and what the elders say.
But, how is that you are forgetting your parents who are responsible for your
progress in life? First and foremost, you should show gratitude to your
parents, love them and respect them. Your blood, your food, your head, your
money are all the gifts of your parents. You do not receive these gifts
directly from God. All that is related to God is only indirect experience. It
is only the parents whom you can see directly and experience their love. So,
consider your parents as God. God will be pleased and will manifest before you
only when you love and respect your parents." "It is the mother who teaches
you the sacred principles like love, compassion, forbearance, tolerance and
sacrifice." Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 142

"It is in her role as mother that there is highest expression of a woman's
strength. Every child that is born owes its existence to the mother. Hence,
everyone should be extremely grateful to one's mother." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96,
p. 158

"Students! First pay back the debt of love to them (parents). Do not behave in
such a way that they repent the day when they put you to school. All other
debts come later, even the debt to the motherland and mother-tongue." "Keep
them (parents) free from worry. Show them gratitude they deserve. Return them
the love they pour freely into your hearts." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. IV, p. 265

"Parents should strive their utmost to bring up their children on right lines.
Children also should revere their parents, who account for their physical
existence. But they should realise what they owe to God, who is the basis of
all life. Recognising this double obligation — to the mothers and to the
Divine - they should redeem their lives by purposeful living." Sai Baba,
SS, 6/97, p. 144

"To be a true a human being, one has to respect one's parents and kith and kin
in childhood. Revere the teacher in boyhood. Please elders in his manhood.
Worship sages in old ages." Sai Baba, SS. 6/94, p. 150

Duty Toward
Mother

"A mother may go wrong in
other respects, but she will always strive for thewellbeing of
her children. Hence every son has to love the mother as the primary duty. Then
he should love the father and revere the preceptor. The mother confers the
body. The father protects it. The preceptor imparts knowledge and wisdom. For
every human being, all these three are essential for getting on in the world."
Sai Baba, SS, 6/97, p. 141

"You must be prepared to make even the supreme sacrifice for showing your
gratitude to the mothers. Even the Avatars, Rama, Krishna and others, owed
their advent to their mothers. Everyone should pray for sacred mothers who
will bring forth good children. There may be bad sons in the world, but bad
mothers are rare. Most mothers lament over the bad behaviour of their
children. No son who has caused distress to his mother can come to anything
good. The Telegu saying is, 'There can be no prosperity in a home where the
mother sheds tears. Today we need sons who will please their mothers." Sai
Baba, SS, 6/96, p. 159

"Respect your mother; obey her commands. Never disrespect your mother or
disappoint her. Do not hurt her feelings. Try to satisfy her in all respects.
Only then the seed of devotion will sprout in you. Everyone should follow the
dictum, "Maatru Devo Bhava" (Worship your mother as God.) in letter and
spirit." Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 150

"One should not disregard one's parents yielding to the vagaries of the mind."
Sai Baba, SS, 6/99, p. 144

"Nourish your aged parents, revere them." Sai Baba,

SSS, Vol. IV, p. 98

Sacrifice
Everything For God

"Everybody should love and
respect his parents. But, if any relation becomes an obstacle in your path to
God, there is no harm in leaving him (or her)." "From worldly point of the
view, you should respect your father, mother, preceptor and husband. But when
it comes to God, everything else is secondary. God alone is important. Bharata
left his mother Kaikeyi for the sake of Lord Rama. Prahlada
gave up his father Hiranyakashipu for the sake of Lord Narayana. Emperor Bali
forsook his preceptor, Shukracharya for the sake of God." Sai Baba, SS,
6/99, p. 150.

Mother Is
The First Teacher

"The mother is the symbol of
the Universal Mother, and father of the Divine Lord. There is a popular prayer
describing the Lord as everything: 'Oh Lord of Lords! You are my mother and
father, my kinsman and friend, my wealth and knowledge, my everything.' (A
Sanskrit verse). The mother is the first teacher of speech. The first words
taught to the child are 'Amma', 'Appa'. Then teaching of the alphabet starts.
The first lessons are:

'Om Nama Shivaaya' or 'Om Namo Naaraayanaaya. The teaching of the language
begins with the teaching of the names of the Divine - Shiva and Narayana. In
ancient times, the mother occupied the place of the first preceptor for the
child. Unfortunately, in the world ' today, what are the parents teaching to
the child? They are teaching them 'A, B, C, D' nor is that all. They go on
teaching the child some meaningless stuff like 'Baa Baa black sheep'. The
mothers imagine that they are teaching something wonderful to the children.
This is wrong. Teaching of the alphabet should begin with learning the names
of the Lord." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96, pp. 158 & 159

"The mothers, for their part, should teach the children always to speak the
truth. When a mother asks the son, 'Where have you been?' he should not
prevaricate. He must tell the truth and confess his mistakes if he has done
anything wrong. Very few children tell the truth to their parents today. Of
what use is education for such children? Today's boys and girls are the future
redeemers of the nation. Hence, the parents should bring them on right lines
so that they may be ideal citizens." Sai Baba, SS, 6/96, p. 160

Goodness Vs.
Greatness

"There are mothers who are
worried when their children take to spiritual path. They hardly realise that
it is the fruit of many past lives, which accounts for children taking to
spiritual path. Mothers should rejoice over such a development rather than
worry about it. Many parents desire that after the education of their children
is over, they should get married, get a good job and achieve a high position
in life. Out of their love they want their children to achieve greatness.
Swami's love is not like that. Swami wants them to achieve goodness. What is
the difference between greatness and goodness? A good man sees divinity even
in a human being. A great man sees the human even in God. Ravana was a great
man who had performed great penance. He was very powerful. But seeing Rama in
human form, he considered him as a mere human being. On the other hand, Rama
was different, He saw the Divine in human beings. That is the mark of
goodness. It is better to earn reputation for goodness than to be known as a
great man." Sai Baba. SS, 6/98, pp. 145 & 146

Mother's
Blessings

It was part of the ancient tradition that when the son wished to set out for
the battlefield to secure victory or go to forest to perform penance, he would
first go to his mother and seek her blessings. Dhurva, a six-year-old child,
took his mother's blessings, set out to the forest to perform penance and
realised the vision of the Divine. Arjuna prostrated before his mother to get
her blessings prior to his leaving for the battlefield. The mother told him,
'May victory be yours.' Duryodhana also went to his mother and sought her
blessings for victory in the war. The mother told him,' Where there is Dharma,
there will be the victory.' This was Duryodhana's mother's blessing for her
son. Duryodhana then went to his preceptor and sought his blessings. The
preceptor said:

'Where there is Krishna, there is Dharma. Where there is Dharma, there will be
the victory.' Their victory can be secured only where Dharma and the Divine
are present, according to the mother and preceptor. In those days, whatever
the mother declared proved prophetic. Whenever a mother conferred her
blessings on her son, the Divine was present there to declare, 'May it happen
so.' Besides mother's blessings. Divine grace is also necessary. Hence, every
son should make every effort to please his mother. Without keeping his mother
pleased, the son cannot achieve anything in the world. The son should have
those qualities, which enable him to please his mother. At the same time, the
son should also strive to win Lord's grace. Without earning God's grace, the
mother's blessings alone will be of no avail." Sai Baba, SS, 6/98, pp.
141-142

"When Lava and Kusha were engaged in a battle with Rama, Lava aimed an arrow
at Rama with the prayer that if his mother Janaki was a 'Sadhivi' (a supremely
noble woman) the arrow should render Rama unconscious. Rama became unconscious
when the arrow hit him. See what happened. The mere thought of his mother lent
so much power to his arrow. This shows that when you cherish the mother and
seek God's grace, the blessings of the mother becomes more powerful." Sai
Baba. SS, 6/97, p. 144

"Many great men have embarked on noble deeds after securing the blessings of
their mothers. For instance, before going to fight against the demon,
Tarakasura, Sanat Kumar got the blessings of his mother, Gowri. Similarly,
Parashurama received his mother's blessings before he went to fight his foes.
Likewise, Vinatha blessed her son by saying: 'May Shri Rama protect you
always.' It is because of the blessings of noble mothers, the wives of great
sages, that many men were able to perform heroic deeds. Shankaracharya taught
that sons who did not get the blessings of the mothers suffered from various
vicissitudes in life. Those who had the blessings of their mothers often
secured freedom from rebirth. Many high-souled men have extolled the greatness
and power of mothers. It is the foremost duty of children to secure the
blessings of their mothers for worldly well-being." Sai Baba, SS, 6/97. p.
141

Today's
Mother's Expectations From Their Children

"Not compassion, good
character, integrity and such virtues. They want their children to get educated,
secure a big job, marry a wealthy girl and lead a comfortable life." Sai
Baba. SS. 6/93, p. 146

What Should Be
The Expectations Of A Mother?

"Earn a good name; become an
ideal son; use your wealth in righteous ways; develop compassion; lead a just
moral life. This is what mothers should impress on their children. Such
high-minded mothers have become rare these days." Sai Baba, SS, 6/93, p. 146